it is just that i could see all the flaws, contradictions and illogical things in there...so how is it possible that an inspired by god book is not able of convincing me of its truth? if the bible is the only way of finding god, why is that it is not infallible?
what good is a supposedly divine book that only works if you believe it before you read it?
if in order to believe what is in the book you need to believe first that whatever in the book is truth?
2007-08-20 14:02:00 · 16 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
but if there are flaws because of the writers why can i solve it?? i just have the translation of the bible i have...to solve the flaws i may invent and interpret to my own accord but that would be like cheating...this part in the book doesnt convince me i blame the translator and i change it to my own benefit
2007-08-20 14:18:44 · update #1
The good news is that you DID READ it!
I doubt it very much if *anything* that is man made can ever be considered "infallible" or, can fully guaranty an "instant gratification" to the user. Do you? Or can you think of anything at all? Nah... I can't.
Of course it would only seem logical that you would EASILY find the flaws and contradiction within the Bible, since that has been you specific mission for opening it up to read it. Am I right or am I right? But still, no problemo.
Perhaps one day, without giving it much thought or even making any connections whatsoever, *something* or *some incident* that you may come across will remind you of what you read or learned from the Bible... it could be a phrase, a lesson, or even a single thought... that will somehow tie in with an event or a series of events happening around you.
When that happens, try not to sweep it under the rug or simply forget about it. The least you can do is to BE HONEST with yourself.
And THAT would be your chance to revisit those pages you found in the Bible. And THAT IS the good news once more!
Peace be with you.
2007-08-20 14:23:02 · answer #1 · answered by Arf Bee 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
You are a critical reader and ask tough questions -that's good.
Perhaps its the perspective of the Bible you had -or the one you were told you should have, rather. When you put the bible in its historical context you see what people have been seeing forever -we don't understand God very well. We try in every culture many different ways in every part of history and if you try to look at this history written down it looks well...illogical and contradicting.
Maybe for some of us God is more seen in the big picture and those of us stumble on the everyday fumbling and ramblings of people just like us. The bible is a great book but it is full of everyday people fumbling and stumbling towards God.
Read the bible again and don't assume anything at all. Instead read it as a series of interactions between men and God. Your job is to be critical -where did the people get it right? Where did they get it wrong? What's the moral of the story and what does it teach us about God's character?
Look at the patterns in the big picture and try not to stumble over the details. God will help you and you can't offend or scare him with your questions.
Remember this is a book, (or series of books, really) that have kept really intelligent scholars studying for a lifetime. It's an amazing book but if anyone tries to simplify your experience to "Well, you'd believe it if you had enough faith" they haven't explored it's depths. Because when you get into into it you find it's very challenging. But as with all things challenging it's very rewarding as well.
Give it another try.
2007-08-20 14:30:17 · answer #2 · answered by The Sponge 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
What were you expecting it to convince you of? A book does not convince you it is the Holy Spirit that draws you to surrender to the law that is written on your heart. That surrender is what brings faith.
Who said that the Bible is the only way of finding God? for hundreds of years before the canonization of Scriptures men were brought to faith by the Holy Spirit through the Church.
How can you say that the Bible is not infallible with any veracity when it is through faith that one receives the power through the Spirit of discernment. Could it be that you just are not educated enough about theological issues to discern the infallible truths contained in Scriptures.
Faith is a process that one goes through ones whole life. do not expect revelation or epiphany to come all at once but throughout the life of one devoted to God and believing in Him.
In Christ
Fr. Joseph
2007-08-20 14:21:31 · answer #3 · answered by cristoiglesia 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
This is actually a very common and great question! First: If God was not so large that we could not "ever" completely understand His works or His words He would not be God.
Second: What you are questioning is not God, it is Faith and the reason for Faith is Salvation! The Lord promises all of us who have Faith in the word (meaning God sent Jesus to die for our sins) shall have ever lasting life! God is a forgiving God and He tells us that He who believes in The Son will join Him in the Kingdom of Heaven! The "Promise" is that You Must Believe First"! There is NO BOOK that will Prove God to you! This would eliminate the need for faith. The Bible tells us that we are SAVED by Grace through Faith! You see, no one deserves the Kingdom of Heaven! We get this as our Gracious Gift from God! If you want a Biblical answer to this your answer will be found in JOHN 3:16 if you are looking for some form of other source, try a book called " A case for Christ" You may find what you are looking for in this book. The need for faith is so that only those who Truly Believe will enter the Kingdom of Heaven, therefore Heaven will only be filled with those who rejoice in the Lord!
So much is lost in my written answer so I will pray that you have heard what you needed and I will pray that you find your salvation!
If you would like to begin a new life, and a relationship with Jesus Christ, simply say this prayer from your heart. Jesus is anxiously waiting to meet you! His arms are open wide!
Jesus I know I am a sinner and you are my only hope for restoration. I ask you to come into my life and to direct it. I surrender myself to you completely. I thank you for the great sacrifice you made for all the things I have done wrong. I accept the gift you are offering to me. I desire to have a relationship with You. Come and live within my heart today. Amen.
2007-08-20 15:09:57 · answer #4 · answered by Glenn C 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I'm curious what you think convinced Jesus' twelve disciples. Between the crucifixion and the resurrection, they were paralyzed with fear, thinking they were going to be swept up in a dragnet and condemned as part of the "Jesus cult" by the sanhedrin. They were without hope, thier leader had just been tortured to death, and they didn't know what to do next.
These were not wide-eyed zealots. They were down to earth working class. Fishermen, tax men, merchants. They had families and had been around enough to know what was what.
What happened to change these people into true believers who cast their fears into the wind, left their homes and families and travelled the world to spread the word of God, all of them eventually ending up dying horrific Martyrs deaths, and doing so happily?
Search for what convinced these men to believe, and you too might be convinced.
2007-08-20 14:22:29 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Apparently, you read the Bible looking for flaws. You did not consider that translations are NOT inspired. If there were logical flaws, could it be rooted from the common errors taught from the pulpits today? There are many Bible scholars that have addressed what may appear as "flaws".
GOD bless
2007-08-20 14:16:21 · answer #6 · answered by Exodus 20:1-17 6 · 1⤊ 2⤋
i understand what you are sayn and totally agree!!
i have read the bible two or three times and it still hasnt proven anything to me!! so i ask this question what if everybody knew of the flaws of the bible before reading it,would there even be any believers in god???
i bet there would be but maybe fewer.
2007-08-20 14:15:48 · answer #7 · answered by Paula S 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I am sorry I have to disagree with you. I read it and it fully convinced me. There is no possible way this could have ever been written by any perfect being.
2007-08-20 14:23:37 · answer #8 · answered by meissen97 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I Know why you not Convinced. Open up the Bible you have " read " and go to.... (2Corinthians 4: 3,4).. There is where you will find out WHY you feel so.
All the Best.
2007-08-20 14:12:43 · answer #9 · answered by conundrum 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
You can't force yourself to believe-- either you do, or you don't. Don't feel bad, it's not your fault, it's just who you are.
You're not in the wrong, and don't let anyone make you feel bad. I can't believe it either, it would be like forcing myself to believe in Santa.
I've read it a few times, and each time I've tried to believe but I couldn't. It doesn't make sense, and it just doesn't work for me. Logic wins.
2007-08-20 14:16:53 · answer #10 · answered by mathaowny 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋